Even though this movement belongs strictly in large pairs movements it has some uses in smaller Mitchells. For small Mitchells, with an even number of tables where half the number is odd (6, 10 and 14 tables) this can be very useful. The movement is divided into two sections of standard Mitchells with one section having tables 1 to N/2 and the other N/2+1 to N. Tables 1 and N/2+1 share boards, 2 and N/2+2 share boards, etc.
The two sections move independently, so that when the E-W pairs and the boards reach one end of the row, they go to the other end of the same row. Only half the boards are in play, for when the E-W pairs have played all the N-S pairs in that section (thereby also having played all the boards), they swap places with the E-W pairs in the other section and a new set of boards is introduced into play and the same procedure as before is followed. There are two advantages with this movement:
· no relay tables (to misplace) and no skip
· half the boards can be scored by the end of the event.
The disadvantage is that there are shares throughout the event but this can be overcome by duplicated boards. Extra boards can be added by using standard extra board methods.
Where the number of tables is such that half the number is even, the same procedure can be followed by placing the share and relays of the two sections opposite each other. Better still, use the modified multiple teams movement that follows.
